Chinese Government provides RMB 150 million grant for International Conference Center Construction Project (Linked to Record ID#33810)

Project narrative

In February 2012, Chinese Government provided an RMB 150 million grant to the Government of Laos for the International Conference Center Construction Project. The purpose of the project was to build an international conference center in the capital city of Vientiane. The international conference (convention) center occupies an area of 7 hectares and it consists of three main buildings, including a multifunctional area, a VIP zone, a 500-seat conference hall, bilateral meeting rooms, a press room, and a reception hall. It was designed to accommodate more than 3,000 meeting participants and it was also meant to serve as main venue for the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in November 2012. China State Construction Engineering Corporation was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Construction began on December 31, 2011. However, a formal groundbreaking ceremony did not take place until February 23, 20112. Construction ended on October 9, 2012 and the project was officially handed over to the Government of Laos on November 5, 2012.